London Chamber Choir

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Choir & Conductor

About the choir

Coro was formed in September 2000 as a London-based chamber choir for experienced singers dedicated to performing a broad range of choral music to the highest standard. Since its inception Coro has undertaken a number of UK and international tours and has successfully participated in many European choral competitions. The choir’s successes include becoming the first Western European group to win the Grand Prix at the Tallinn International Choral Competition and winning the Renaissance Music and the Twentieth Century Music prizes at the International Polyphonic Competition ‘Guido d’Arezzo’ in Italy. The choir has also reached the Grand Final of the Florilège Vocal de Tours in France and was awarded the competition’s special Renaissance prize.

Recently, Coro made its third recording, O Jesu Mi Dulcissime – a disc of music by early 17th-century composers such as Schütz and Gabrieli, released on the Dal Segno label. Coro’s two previous recordings – The Lover’s Ghost and This Christmas Night – are also both available on the Dal Segno label. In addition, the choir has featured on releases from Russell Watson, Friar Alessandro, Katherine Jenkins, Alfie Boe, Sarah Brightman, The Priests and the soundtrack for the film The Sleeping Beauty of East Finchley. Coro was selected by the BBC to represent the UK in the international Let The Peoples Sing competition – Coro’s recording was featured on Radio 3’s The Choir programme.

About the conductor

Mark Griffiths has been Musical Director of Coro since 2003, during which time he has conducted the choir to international competitive success, in regular concerts throughout Britain and Europe, and on radio and CD.

Educated at Cambridge University and the Royal College of Music, Mark made the first part of his career as a professional singer, working in opera, church music and commercial recordings. He is now increasingly in demand as a choral conductor, working with a wide range of choirs, from large symphonic choruses (including the Philharmonia Chorus and Brighton Festival Chorus) to prestigious chamber choirs such as Chantage and Trinity Voices.Mark also has a wealth of experience with younger singers, having worked for years with the award-winning Berkshire Youth Choirs and, currently, with Junior Trinity (the Junior Department of Trinity Laban Conservatoire).

Mark has also been the choral director on a number of successful crossover albums featuring Friar Alessandro, Russell Watson, Sarah Brightman and Katherine Jenkins.

Committee

Lindsey Dear

Concerts and Events Manager

Lindsey oversees all concert logistics for both regular and paid-for performances, liaising with venues, and acting as a general point of contact for those who hire the choir. Lindsey sings soprano and is a founder member of the choir. A proper culture vulture, she loves theatre, opera, rocking sweaty gigs, galleries, 'happenings' and all manner of arty nonsense.

Helen Tweedy

Social

Tweeds joined Coro in 2006 and quickly became a devotee. When she’s not singing her socks off on the second soprano line, she can often be found in her office managing PR for lifestyle brands, or in her kitchen baking something ridiculous. Tweeds is Coro’s Social Secretary / fun facilitator.

Jo Wilson

Librarian

Jo is a founder member of Coro and our music librarian. When she is not singing in the alto section, she works in classical A&R and label management. She loves London life, scenic mountain walking and has a worrying addiction to diet coke.

Laura Szomszor

Secretary

Laura joined the choir in 2008. As choir secretary, Laura is the first point of contact for all general enquiries to the choir. She also organises auditions, manages and generates content for our website and carries out other administrative functions in the choir. Outside of the choir she is involved in local environmental conservation projects and enjoys time with and away from her young children.

Richard Grocock

Sales and Marketing Officer

Richard manages our sales, ticketing, and social media channels, working with the Secretary to build our website and generate new content to drive external traffic (from audiences and prospective members alike). He also manages our mailing list and audience newsletters. In the real world, he produces TV and Radio comedy.

David Melnick

Chair

Originally from the suburbs of southern New Jersey, David moved to London in 2009 to complete his master's in historical musicology, and in 2015, joined Coro as a baritone. As a communications manager during the day, he initially looked after the choir's marketing before ultimately taking on the role of Chair in early 2017.

Robin Sheffield

Development Officer

Robin joined in 2015 and is responsible for promoting the choir and coordinates our advertising revenue through sponsorships. Robin has a background in music and now works at a classical music charity called the Royal Philharmonic Society.

Jon Grocock

Treasurer

Jon sang with Coro in its first year. After working in various European countries for over a decade, he has re-joined the choir and is loving singing with both old and new friends. He works in the Finance industry. Jon owns and manages the choir’s treasury, overseeing the financial activity and health of the choir and advising on related issues. He implements financial governance as required, authorises outgoing payments and coordinates the collection of client fees and member subscriptions

Mailing list

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